Portable soda-wateb



riNiTED sTATEsrATENToFFicE.

JAMES R. `NICHOLS, on I-iaviaRHInL, MASSACHUSETTS.

PORTABLE sona-WATER FOUNTAIN.

Specification of Letters `Patent No.` 11,384, dated July, 25, 1854.

To aZZfwLom t may concern:

Be it known thatI, J AMES R. NICHOLS, of Haverhill, in thecounty of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Portable Soda- Fountains, `which are described` as follows, reference being had to the accompanying drawings of thesame, making part of this specification.

Figure l,` is a view of the soda water` apparatus with the parts adjusted andin` their proper place. Fig 2, is a sectional View of the same showing the interior arrangement ofthe cylindersor generating apparatus the tubes for "passing the gas into the water, and out of the reservoir for use.

A, is the body ofthe fountain or reservoir. B the screw orifice through which water is pouredinto the reservoir.

C, is a stop cock for drawing the charged water from the fountain. D, another stop cock controlling the pipe K leading from the washer or purifier to the bottom of the reservoir. E, strong metallic cylinder descending to thebottom of the reservoir, constituting the gas generating apartment of the apparatus. F `another metallic cylinder connected to E by a screw, and descending a short distance into the same. G,.a nicely packed screw through which a brass rod passes connected at the top with the thumb screw L and atthe bottom with the apparatus N and P. H, a vessel for washing or purifying the gas as it comes from cylinder E. I, pipe leading from the generating cylinder to the bottom of the purifier, I-I. J, a screw orifice for replenishing the purifier. K, pipe leading from the purifier to stop cock D. L, a thumb screw for turning and controlling apparatus N, and P; M, M, tuebs passing from stop cocks @,D, to bottom of reservoir.

N, is a flat piece of metal attached to the rod, intended to revolve within cylinder F. O large screw connecting cylinder F with E.

P, is a disk of metal attached to the metal N, and rod which revolve within the cylinder, F, which when drawn up against the open end closes it tightly.

The steps necessary to put the apparatus in operation for the production of carbonic acid water are as follows: First open the screw orifice B, and turn into the reservoir enough pure water to fill it within a few inches of the top, then replace the screw and secure it firmly. Remove cylinder F, by i `marble powder. It may be filled by turning it in at the lower end, when open, by thrust- `ing down the disk P, or by a screworifice which `may be made in the top. If turned in at the lower end of cylinder F, the disk P, must be drawn up tightly before reversing it. Into cylinder E, pour equal parts of sulphuric acid and water, until a depth is formed at the bottom of about five inches. Now carefully return cylinder F to its place within E, and screw it firmly home. Open the screw J attached to the purifier and pour in a saturated solution of bicarbonate of` soda in water until the vesselis nearly fullreplace the screw and the whole apparatus is ready to be put into action. To charge the water in the reservoir` A, turn the thumb screw L, and gently press upon it. The metal N, and disk P,`attached it will rotate within the cylinder F and a small quantity of the powdered' carbonate will descend into the acid in the bottom of cylinder E, brisk effervescence will ensue the liberated carbonic acid will rise in the cylinder press through the pipe I, into the washer or purifier, passing to the bottom of the same, and bubbling up will pass through pipe K, and stop cock D, to the bottom of the reservoir A where it will be absorbed by the water. The liberated gas will fill the space above the water and pressing upon it force it up the pipe M, through stop cock C, to the drawing apparatus above. ,I

The apparatus is made of heavy tinned copper of sufiicient strength to resist a pressure of S0 pounds to the inch.v The capacity of cylinder F is only sufficient to contain enough of the carbonate, which when decomposed will afford a gas Vpressure of pounds, thus securing the complete safety of the apparatus when in use.`

I am well aware that many attempts have been made to construct convenient portable apparatus for the manufacture of carbonic acid water. Those that have been constructed so `far as I know, have been confined to low pressure, and entirely useless when water is required containing three or four volumes of gas in solution. Water` as highlycharged as this, is required by all dealers, and has been only obtained by the use of the heavy expensive generating apparatus in use in cities; apparatus not adapted to the wants of an individual where the de mand for t-he water is limited.

A compact, powerful arrangement not liable to become disarranged, simple in its construction, and aorded at a comparatively low price, has long been wanted. This want I think my apparatus fully meets. By means of the strong metallic Vcylinder descending to the bottom of the reservoir, in the bottom of which I place my acid, all inconvenience resulting from the uprising of the mingled materials during effervescence is obviated. This has been one great difliculty in the construction of compact portable apparatus. By means of the superior cylinder connected with this for holding the powdered carbonate a small fountain should any want of additional pressure be experienced at any time, one or two turns of the thumb' screw will throw Should the down the soda or chalk, and instantly disf engage gas enough to remedy the difficulty, So in case the fountain becomes uneXpectedly exhausted, a few gallons of water may be poured into the reservoir, the apparatus within cylinder F rotated, and in a few moments the fountain is replenished. These desirable ends cannot be reached in any generating apparatus of any capacity and power, that has come within my knowledge. Any acid vapors or impurities that may come from the generating cylinder will be arrester and decomposed in the purifying apparatus I-I, thus insuring pure and wholesome water. The purier I regard as an important and indispensable appendage to any carbonicacid water apparatus, and one which has not to my knowledge been combined with any cheap portable arrangement.

I do not claim a simple combination of reservoir and generator in portable form, but I do claim l. The peculiar arrangement of reservoir, generator, and purifier', compactly combined, as herein described. p

2. I claim the arrangement as described for gradually throwing down the powdered chalk or soda from the superior cylinder and for closing up the same by drawing up the rod connected with the thumb screw.

JAMES R. NICHOLS.

l/Vitnesses: y

JAMES GALE, CHARLES B. EMERSON. 

